Limitation is a Blessing Date:   Friday , December 02, 2005 How do you transmit data to very large distributed populations cost effectively through existing broadcast networks? Ajay Gupta, Director, HP Research Labs, Bangalore has the answer. Most of these broadcast networks are set up for either television or radio broadcast and not for transmission of data. The key challenge is to encode and decode the data along with the audio and video signals. Transferring this data securely and to the appropriate receiver was also another challenge. Gupta’s invention is focused on riding on conventional networks but delivering data through these networks. One of the first applications of this noteworthy technology is in the area of distance education - for instance training and development of health workers, teachers and agriculture extension workers where HP labs has tied up for first technology trials. Necessity is the mother of innovation, says Gupta when asked why this unique innovation was not done elsewhere. Challenges in a country like India presents unique need and opportunity – and focusing on them to create cutting edge innovations, which can then be taken globally, is the model that he is following. “Indians can excel akin to the Israelis. In Israel strong needs of the defense industry had driven Israelis to innovate. The same people then took technology innovations and management culture into global businesses. India with its rapidly growing economy presents a huge opportunity to innovate,” opines Gupta. Ajay Gupta 43 Director, HP Research Lab, Bangalore. l. His department focuses on product and service innovations that exploit rapid expansion of wireless infrastructure in the emerging markets. 2. Completed his B.Tech from IIT Kanpur and M.Phil from Edinburgh University in Artificial Intelligence. 3. Joined HP in 1986 in Bristol, U.K., Worked in HP Labs in U.K., U.S., Singapore and India. 4.Granted three patents and thirteen filed.